When you set out to smoke a nice brisket or anything else, it's critical to keep the temperature inside your smoker at a precise and constant temperature. Otherwise, you risk your meat cooking incorrectly!
That's why I set out to find the best smoker with temperature control. I tested several smokers to find the one that would hold a precise and steady temperature to produce delicious smoked items. In this Appliance Accreditor review, I'll tell you why the Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker earned our accreditation for the best smoker with temperature control. I'll also run you through our honorable mentions and give you some tips for successful smoking.
Super Smoker: Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker earned our top pick for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it smokes with only wood chips. No need for propane, electricity or other sources of fuel. This makes it a convenient option for any situation.
Now let's talk temperature control. The Country Smokers Grill and Smoker has a user-friendly temperature knob on the front of the smoker. This allows you to choose a precise temperature ranging from 225ºF all the way to 450ºF. There is also a “smoker” option, which holds at temperatures between 180ºF and 200ºF, and a “high” option, which fires all the way up to 500ºF.
This smoker also has a temperature gauge on top, so I was able to monitor the temperature of the interior throughout the smoking process. I was pretty pleased – the smoker held my desired temperature within 5ºF for the entire afternoon!
Another huge benefit of this smoker is the portability. Since it's not electric and doesn't require propane, it's super easy to pack up and take camping or to a friend's BBQ. All you need are wood chips to get things cooking. Even if you're using it as a grill, it's pretty convenient.
My only complaint with this smoker is that I wish it was bigger. It holds 5 pounds of wood chips at a time, which is enough to get any smoking job done. But, the smoker only offers 256 square inches of area. If you want to smoke multiple large pieces of meat at once, you might need a larger smoker.
PROS
- Precise temperature control
- Wood pellet smoker
- Highly portable
- Doubles as a grill
CONS
- A little on the small side
Click here to get your Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker on Amazon today!
Runner-Up: Smoke Hollow Propane Smoker
The Smoke Hollow Propane Smoker is a strong runner-up with a lot to offer in terms of smoking versatility. This smoker allows the use of wood chips, but requires propane to get started and maintain your temperatures.
In terms of temperature control, this smoker doesn't offer a precise knob like the Country Smokers unit. Instead, you have two independently controlled burners at the bottom of the smoker. These only give you options between “low” and “high”.
To my surprise, these burners turned out to be quite consistent in temperature. And, the smoker has a built-in thermometer on the door of the unit. You can absolutely get a steady temperature going with this smoker. You'll just have to spend a little more time warming up your smoker and monitoring your thermometer before putting your meats inside.
The Smoke Hollow Propane Smoker held temperatures pretty well. With removable wood chip trays, it's easy to refill mid-smoking without losing heat inside the cabinet. Any small fluctuations in temperature are pretty easily handled by adjusting the burners at the bottom.
This smoker also has a great capacity. It's tall with plenty of depth and width. Plus, it comes with a range of trays and racks to safely smoke anything you could ever want! Ribs, jerky, brisket, you name it. This smoker can handle it all.
My only issue with this smoker was the size. After the simplicity and portability of the Country Smokers unit, using the propane-powered smoker seemed like a lot of work. It's definitely a trade-off, because you get more space on the inside for smoking extra items. In the end, both are great smokers, and you'll have to consider your preferences and personal uses to determine the one that is best for you.
PROS
- Plenty of interior space
- Removable wood pellet trays
- Easy temperature management
CONS
- Longer set-up time
- Burner knobs take getting used to
Click here to get your Smoke Hollow Propane Smoker on Amazon today!
Premium Option: Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker
The Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker is an advanced smoking device that offers convenience and quality smoking.
The benefit of a smoker with bluetooth smart technology is that your temperatures are going to be incredibly precise and accurate. You can connect your smart phone or other capable devices directly to your smoker. This allows you to power on/off the smoker, monitor and control the cooking temperature and even monitor the internal temperature of your meat! If you are someone who frequently overcooks or undercooks meat in your smoker, this smoker can be a real game changer.
Having an electric smoker is surprisingly convenient. No need to check propane levels or prepare in any way. You really just load up the wood chips and turn it on. Of course, many will argue that electric smokers don't offer the same flavor as charcoal or even gas smokers. That said, I was fairly impressed by the flavor I was able to get out of my smoker. Not quite the best I've ever tasted, but pretty close!
Like most modern smoker, the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker has a convenient wood chip loading solution that allows you to refill chips without opening the main smoker and losing heat. But, the largest perks of this smoker are definitely due to the bluetooth smart technology implementations. It's never been easier to monitor your smoking and get great results.
PROS
- Bluetooth smart technology enabled
- Highly precise temperature control
- Internal temperature monitoring of meat
CONS
- Narrowly misses the classic smokey flavor
Click here to get your Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker on Amazon today!
Honorable Mention: Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker
The Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker is a smaller and more affordable version of the Masterbuilt smoker we reviewed above.
Like the other Masterbuilt smoker, this smoker comes loaded with bluetooth smart technology that allows you to monitor and control your entire smoking experience from your smartphone. It was just as convenient, however, I did notice that this unit was not able to maintain temperature as consistently as the larger Masterbuilt smoker. I think the unit may just not be as well insulated, resulting in fluctuating temperatures.
The Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker has plenty of capacity, which is definitely a redeeming quality. Whether you want to smoke ribs, turkey, pork butts, you name it – you can probably fit a few inside your Masterbuilt smoker.
Unless you're low on space, I would recommend the larger Masterbuilt smoker. You definitely get what you pay for compared to the smaller unit. But, if you're just looking to dabble in smoking and get a reliable electric smoker, this Masterbuilt smoker will do everything you need it to do.
PROS
- Lower price point
- Lots of capacity
- Bluetooth smart technology
- Convenience of electric smoker
CONS
- Subpar temperature consistency
Click here to get your Masterbuilt Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker on Amazon today!
Tips for Selecting Your Smoker
I've reviewed some excellent smokers for you above. Maybe you already know which one you want to buy – and that's great! But here are some extra things to consider if you're struggling with making a decision.
What Will You Be Smoking?
The first demand of your smoker is to smoke what you put in it! You need to make sure you select a smoker that is capable of smoking your desired meats.
If you plan on smoking turkeys, pork butts or other large pieces of meat, you'll want to make sure you've got a grill with plenty of capacity. Although most smokers can handle this volume, there are still some smaller smokers out there that are not quite designed for large smoke jobs.
Plus, you may want to consider what each of your smoked meats may require. Is it a dense piece of meat, making it difficult to monitor the temperature or determine when it's done? If so, a smoker like the Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker can help take the stress out of your smoking experience and make sure that your meat is cooked perfectly.
Finally, consider any accessories that you might need. Ribs, birds and other specialty meats will need to be positioned properly inside your smoker for best results. Smokers like the Smoke Hollow Propane Smoker come with plenty of accessories that can handle anything you need.
How Often Will You Use Your Smoker?
If you plan on using your smoker on a weekly basis (or perhaps even more often) I recommend paying a little extra to get a smoker that you know will last.
Like any appliance, smokers will wear down over time. If you use yours a lot, you may find that your smoker is no longer able to deliver the same quality after a few months. Make sure to buy your smoker from a reputable brand to ensure that your smoker will withstand whatever you throw at it.
Also consider the scenarios in which you'll be using your smoker. Are you going to host weekend BBQs with friends and family? You'll need a large smoker that can prepare enough food for all your guests. Are you looking for a smoker that you can take camping or use on occasion? The Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is an awesome and convenient option for this.
How to Regulate Temperature in a Smoker
Regulating the temperature is essential to producing high quality smoked meats. You want the temperature in your smoker to stay between 200ºF and 225ºF.
If your temperature is too low, you'll want to add more wood pellets, increase the propane usage, or adjust the temperature on your electric smoker. Don't let your temperature drop below 200ºF, or your meat will take a really long time to cook.
If your temperature is too high, close the vents to your smoker. When the vents are open, oxygen will enter the smoker, fuel the flames and increase the temperature. Make sure to keep your temperature below 225ºF, or your meat will cook too fast and won't have the tender, smokey texture.
If you are looking for other appliance reviews, check out our blog! The team at Appliance Accreditor is constantly reviewing different appliances and products to help make your purchasing decision easier.